Five-Set Thriller Delivers NU’s First Title Since 2022
National University erased a two-set deficit and survived championship point to dethrone FEU in a dramatic V-League Finals decider. The Bulldogs won 23-26, 19-25, 30-28, 25-21, 16-14, reclaiming their first Collegiate Challenge championship since 2022.
NU Completes Two-Set Comeback Against FEU
Tiebreaker Times chronicled NU’s championship comeback after FEU controlled the opening two sets at Filoil EcoOil Centre. The Bulldogs faced elimination during the third set after the Tamaraws established a six-point advantage at 22-16.
NU recovered behind Buds Buddin and eventually captured an extended third set, 30-28, keeping its championship hopes alive. The Bulldogs followed with a 25-21 fourth-set victory, forcing the Collegiate Challenge championship into a deciding fifth frame.
“Siyempre, sobrang happy ako sa naging performance namin kahit na off kami nung first and second sets. Sabi ko sa mga player ko, kailangan nating tiyagain; unti-untiin natin ‘yung mga pwede nating gawin. Sobrang aggressive ng kalaban, so kailangan sabayan namin,” Alinsunurin said.
Image from: V-League / Facebook
Bulldogs Survive 22-16 Third-Set Deficit
FEU moved within three points of completing its championship three-peat after establishing a 22-16 third-set advantage. NU instead scored enough late points to extend the frame before escaping with a crucial 30-28 victory.
Video Challenge Saves NU at Championship Point
FEU built another six-point advantage at 12-6 during the fifth set before NU mounted its final comeback. Errors from Kyle Tandooc contributed to a five-point Bulldogs run that reduced the Tamaraws’ advantage to 12-11.
Greg Ancheta committed a service error before Dryx Saavedra’s off-the-block attack pushed FEU closer to the championship. The Tamaraws appeared to finish the match moments later when Luis Miguel’s attack deflected off NU’s blockers.
Net-Touch Review Keeps Bulldogs Alive
NU challenged the apparent championship-winning play, prompting officials to review the sequence while FEU celebrated on the court. Officials ruled that Saavedra touched the net during the play, overturning the point and keeping NU alive.
RK Medino Scores 25 in Championship Comeback
Rookie RK Medino scored three of NU’s final four points after the Bulldogs faced a 12-14 fifth-set deficit. He finished with 25 points, all coming from attacks, after entering the starting lineup beginning in the third set.
Coach Dante Alinsunurin inserted Medino for Leo Ordiales after NU struggled offensively across the opening two sets. Medino responded with the Bulldogs’ highest scoring total and delivered several decisive attacks during their championship-clinching finish.
“Well, siyempre, sobrang thankful ako sa kanya kasi kaya naman kaming nakarating dito dahil sa kanya eh. Kaya sabi ko, it’s time na kapag may problema, si RK talaga ang bubunutin ko,” Alinsunurin said.
Alinsunurin Turns to Rookie After Slow Start
Alinsunurin credited Medino for helping NU reach the Finals and explained his trust in the rookie under pressure. Medino rewarded that confidence with 25 attacking points after beginning the championship decider outside NU’s original starting lineup.
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Disquitado Earns Finals MVP After Deciding Victory
Jade Disquitado recorded 17 points and 24 excellent receptions during the championship match, which lasted two hours and 19 minutes. His performance across the three-game series earned Finals MVP honors after NU reclaimed the Collegiate Challenge championship.
Buddin contributed 18 points, while Godfrey Gambo scored 12 and Choi Diao finished with another 10 for NU. Greg Ancheta recorded 25 excellent sets, while Leo Ordiales supplied eight points during the title-clinching five-set victory.
Three-Game Series Swings Between NU and FEU
NU opened the Finals with a 25-14, 39-37, 25-22 sweep before FEU answered emphatically in Game Two. The Tamaraws won 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, setting up the deciding match that NU eventually captured in five sets.
FEU Three-Peat Bid Ends Despite Saavedra’s 27 Points
Season MVP Dryx Saavedra led all scorers with 27 points as FEU narrowly missed completing its championship three-peat. Amet Bituin and Kyle Tandooc scored 17 apiece, while both Tamaraws also registered 16 excellent receptions.
Rhodson Du-ot recorded 27 excellent sets during the deciding match before NU completed its five-set championship comeback. NU and FEU also qualified for the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference as the Collegiate Challenge’s top two finishers.
Individual Awards Cap V-League Collegiate Challenge
The tournament’s individual awards recognized leading performers from FEU, NU, and Letran following the championship series.
- Season MVP: Dryx Saavedra, FEU
- Best Opposite Spiker: Dryx Saavedra, FEU
- Best Outside Hitters: Amet Bituin, FEU; Jade Disquitado, NU
- Best Middle Blockers: Doula Ndongala, FEU; Vince Himzon, NU
- Best Setter: Rhodson Du-ot, FEU
- Best Libero: Cordero, Letran
Analytical Breakdown: NU Found a Way Back
NU’s composure proved decisive because disciplined side-outs kept the Bulldogs alive when FEU repeatedly pushed them toward elimination. Medino transformed the offense with fearless attacking, giving NU a fresh scoring option after its original combinations struggled early. Disquitado’s reception stability also preserved attacking structure, helping NU convert its remarkable recovery into a championship-winning reverse sweep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge men’s title?
National University defeated FEU in five sets during Game Three to reclaim the V-League Collegiate Challenge championship.
What was the score of NU versus FEU in Game Three?
NU defeated FEU, 23-26, 19-25, 30-28, 25-21, 16-14, after overcoming a two-set deficit in the championship decider.
How many points did RK Medino score?
Medino produced 25 points, all from attacks, after entering NU’s starting lineup during the third set.
Who won the V-League Finals MVP award?
Jade Disquitado earned Finals MVP after helping NU reclaim its first V-League Collegiate Challenge championship since 2022.
Will NU and FEU play in Spikers’ Turf?
Yes, both programs qualified for the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference as the V-League Collegiate Challenge’s top two teams.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from Tiebreaker Times.
